Wisdom's Warnings to the Wicked, Worthless, and Unwise 02 02 2025

Pastor Joines began his sermon by expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to open and unfold the Word of God, asking for the Lord’s strength as he led the congregation through Proverbs 6. He introduced his message with a relatable anecdote about young children resisting bedtime, drawing a parallel to how people often dismiss warnings because they are inundated with them daily-whether from weather alerts, safety warnings, or even prescription drug commercials. This desensitization to warnings, he explained, can cause people to ignore the true warnings found in Scripture, which serve a distinct purpose in preserving God’s people.
Solomon, in his instruction to his son, provides vivid, personified examples of wisdom and folly, urging him to embrace wisdom and avoid the path of the fool. Pastor Joines highlighted three warnings in Proverbs 6 that serve as critical lessons for both Solomon’s son and modern believers. The first warning, found in verses 1-5, concerns financial entrapment. He illustrated how co-signing a loan or offering security for another’s debt could lead to financial ruin, urging immediate and urgent action to escape such a situation. He likened this urgency to a gazelle fleeing from a hunter or a bird escaping a snare, emphasizing that sin, like financial folly, ensnares its victims and requires immediate repentance and reconciliation.
The second warning, found in verses 6-11, is directed at the lazy, whom Solomon calls the "sluggard." Pastor Joines pointed out how the ant serves as an example of hard work, self-discipline, and preparation. He explained that God has designed people for diligent labor and rest, reinforcing the biblical pattern of six days of work and one day of rest. He warned against the subtle temptation of laziness, which often manifests as small compromises-"just five more minutes"-leading to poverty and ruin. He reminded the congregation that sin often creeps in subtly and must be met with vigilance and discipline.
The final warning, found in verses 12-19, describes the wicked man, who is characterized by deception, perversion, and the sowing of discord. Unlike the unwise or the sluggard, the wicked man is beyond hope, destined for sudden destruction. Pastor Joines referenced Romans 1, where God gives such people over to their sin, leading them deeper into folly. He contrasted this wicked man with the righteous man described in Proverbs 4, who keeps his eyes, mouth, and feet aligned with God's wisdom and avoids evil.
Pastor Joines concluded by emphasizing that sin corrupts not just individuals but entire communities, bringing social, financial, and moral decay. He urged parents to train the moral conscience of their children, aligning their hearts with God's hatred of sin. He reminded the congregation that Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of wisdom, extending grace and redemption to those who turn to Him. With a final plea, he called on anyone who had not yet come to Christ to heed the warnings of Scripture, avoid the calamity of sin, and embrace the wisdom and salvation found in Jesus. He closed in prayer, asking for God’s guidance and for hearts to be stirred toward wisdom and faith in Christ.